Fall Risk Self-Assessment Quiz
10 quick questions to estimate fall risk for an adult aged 60 or over, based on the same factors that gerontologists evaluate in clinical settings. Free, no signup, no personal data stored.
Why these 10 questions?
The questions were selected from the same risk factors used in clinical settings — specifically the CDC STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) and the UK NICE Clinical Guideline CG161 on falls in older people. The full clinical assessment is much longer and involves physical examination, gait analysis, and review of the patient's full medication list. This quiz is a fast home version of the questions that contribute the most predictive signal.
The factors that matter most
Across the published research, the strongest predictors of falls in adults aged 60 and over are: previous falls in the last 12 months (the single most predictive factor, since fall history compounds future risk by roughly 3x), polypharmacy or taking 4 or more daily medications (drug interactions affect balance and blood pressure regulation), age over 80 (affects bone density, reaction time, and recovery), and inability to rise from a chair without using arms (the chair-stand test is the simplest proxy for lower-extremity strength).
What this quiz does NOT measure
Several known risk factors require physical examination and are not covered here: muscle strength (formal grip and quadriceps tests), gait speed (timed walking test), postural blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), vestibular function, and cognitive screening. If the quiz returns a High or Very High score, an in-person assessment by a family doctor or geriatric specialist is the right next step. The 27 fall statistics roundup includes additional context on the real-world frequency of falls.
If your score was lower than expected
Most people score low because most risk factors compound over time. A low score today does not guarantee a low score in two years. Annual reassessment is recommended after age 65 — many family doctors will do this informally at routine visits, but you can also re-take this quiz quarterly as part of the family's informal health-monitoring rhythm.
What does this quiz measure?
The 10 questions cover the most reproducible risk factors identified in the clinical fall-risk literature: age, fall history, polypharmacy (multiple medications), living arrangement, lower-extremity strength (chair-stand test), mobility-aid use, environmental risk (stairs), vision, vestibular symptoms (dizziness), and anticoagulant use (which converts a minor fall into a major bleeding risk).
Sources for the questions
- CDC STEADI initiative — Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries
- UK NICE Clinical Guideline CG161 — Falls in older people: assessment
- American Academy of Family Physicians, 2017 — Fall prevention
Citation
This quiz is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. The score is an orientation, not a diagnosis. AlvoTriX is not a medical device. For any fall-risk concern, consult a qualified healthcare professional. In emergencies, dial your local emergency number.